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Thelymitra aff. ixioides, one of NZ’s two spotted blue sun orchids, requires a hot sunny morning after rain for 2 or 3 ±18mm wide flowers to open for a few hours only, typical of self pollinated species. The Aussie T. ixioides opens more flowers more easily for insect pollination. This specimen from low tea-tree scrub in poor soil at Hewett’s Reserve west of Whangarei on 9/10/02. Found from Cape Reinga to Christchurch in similar conditions and track sides.
Eric Scanlen.
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Thelymitra aff. pauciflora the NZ slender sun orchid, from Pinnacles Hill Road batter-slope, Bombay, on 18/11/95. Notice its own white, granular pollen liberally sprinkled around; an indicator of self pollination. It prefers poor, damp soil in dappled sun. Similar to the insect pollinated Aussie T. pauciflora. 3 or 4 flowers open on one stem in case some insect decides to cross pollinate them but only on a hot day, especially after rain. However, this specimen was self pollinated before it opened as often happens in this taxon. Found from Whangarei to Timaru on track sides or in scrub.
Eric Scanlen.
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